Apparatus for attaching an emblem to the clip of a writing instrument



Feb. 15, 1966 w. G. CROWLEY 3,

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING AN EMBLEM TO THE CLIP OF A WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGS INVENTOR.

WILLIAM G. CROWLEY BY r ATTORNEYS Feb. 15, 1966 w. G. CROWLEY 3,235,155

APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING AN EMBLEM To THE CLIP OF A WRITING INSTRUMENT Filed Dec. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

WI LLIA M G. CROWLEY g lfh f ATTOR NEYS United States Patent 0 3,235,155 APPARATUS FOR ATTACHENG AN EMBLEM T0 THE CLllP OF A WRITING INSTRUMENT William G. Crowley, Riverside, R1, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Barrows Industries, Inc., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Dec. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 327,412 12 Claims. (Cl. 227141) The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching an emblem to the clip of a writing instrument. More particularly, the present invention relates to the method and apparatus for applying emblems to pen or pencil clips after the clips have been assembled to the cap of the pen or pencil.

The manufacture of writing instruments, such as pens and pencils, normally does not incorporate the attachment of specialized emblems or indicia to the clips that are secured to the cap of the writing instrument. It is desirable on occasions to attach a specialized emblem, such as a school emblem, to a pen or pencil clip. However, heretofore it .has been quite a manufacturing problem to attach an emblem to the clip since the clip was already secured to the pen or pencil cap and accordingly, prior techniques have usually involved hand assembly of the emblem to the clip. The present invention is designed to eliminate the hand operation of securing an emblem to the clip of a Writing instrument and includes apparatus that quickly and simply enables the emblem to be attached to the clip after the clip has been permanently secured to the cap of the writing instrument.

The apparatus embodied in the present invention is designed for use with that type of emblem that is formed with outwardly projecting prongs, and in order to attach the emblem to apen or pencil clip is first preconditioned by the formation of openings therein that are adapted to receive the prongs. The apparatus that is utilized to attach the emblem to the clip includes an anvil that is mounted on a base, the anvil being adapted to receive the emblem for seating the emblem with the prongs thereof extending in a vertical direction. A pair of pivotally mounted armsare also secured to the base and have jaws joined to the outermost ends thereof on which the cap of the pen or pencil is mounted. The jaws are arranged and constructed such that when the cap is secured thereon, the jaws extend between the space definedby the cap and the clip secured thereto. Thus, the cap is so arranged on the jaws that the clip secured thereto is positioned with the openings formed therein in aligned relation with respect to the prongs of the emblem. The jaws are then moved downwardly, carrying the cap and clip therewith so that the prongs of the emblem project through the openings in the clip. The openings in the clip are located such that they are located just inwardly of the inner edges of the jaw, and upon the movement of an upper ram in a downward direction, the jaws are pivoted inwardly to bend over the emblem prongs. The emblem is thus secured to the clip, and the assembly may then be slipped from the jaws either manually or by any suitable automatic means.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for automatically attaching an emblem to a clip that is secured to the cap of a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil.

Still another object is to provide apparatus for securing an emblem to a clip of a writing instrument wherein the clip and the cap of the writing instrument to which it is secured is mounted in a predetermined position and in alignment with the emblem prior to the attachment of the emblem to the clip. i

Still another object is to provide apparatus for attach:

"ice

ing an emblem to a clip of a writing instrument which includes a pair of pivotally mounted arms that are provided with jaws on the outer ends thereof, the clip and the cap to which it is secured being mounted on the jaws in aligned relation with respect to the emblem, and the jaws being movable in a first direction to engage the emblem with the clip and then movable in a second direction to secure the emblem to the clip.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus embodied herein that is adapted to attach an emblem to the clip of a writing instrument;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional View with parts shown in elevation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged front elevational views of a portion of the apparatus on which the cap of the writing instrument is secured and on which theemblem is mounted, the steps for securing the emblem to the clip being illustrated in sequence;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a clip of a writing instrument showing the attachment of an emlem thereto, and prior to the insertion of an ornamental stone in the emblem.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus embodied herein for attaching an emblem to the clip of a writing instrument is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. In order that the description and purpose of the apparatus 10 be made more clear, reference is first made to FIGS. 4 through 8 which show the connection of an emblem to the clip of a writing instrument such as a pen or pencil. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a cap 12 that is normally mounted on a barrel of a pen or pencil is formed in the usual tubular construction and has a spring clip 14 secured thereto in the conventional manner. It is the purpose of the present invention to modify the spring clip 14 by the attachment thereto of an emblem generally indicated at 16 in FIG. 8. As will be described. hereinafter, the spring clip 14 is provided with spaced openings 28 (FIG. 4) therein which are adapted to receive suitable prongs that are formed as part of the emblem 16. As seen in FIG. 7, the spring clip 14 is also formed with the usual longitudinally extending flanges 19. Referring again to FIG. 8, the emblem 16 is shown constructed in the usual manner and includes a circular or oval body 18 having a beveled edge 20 on which any suitable inscription or indicia may be formed. Formed in the body 18 is a recess 20, the lowermost surface of which is defined by a bottom wall 22. It is understood that in the finished form of the emblem 16 a stone would normally be disposed within the recess 20 and would be inserted therein after the assembly of the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14. Prior to the assembly of the emblem 16 to the clip 14, the bottom wall 22 is punched out to form outwardly extending prongs 24 (FIGS. 4 and 5,) the punched out portions of the bottom wall 22 defining openings 26 which are seen as rectangular slots in FIG. 8. As will be apparent from the following description of the attachment of the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14, the prongs 24 are adapted to be inserted through the spaced openings 28 in the spring clip 14 and are bent over to secure the emblem .to the clip.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus for attaching the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14 will now be described. It is understood that in the attaching operation, the spring clip 14 has previously been secured to the cap 12 of the writing instrument. Advantage is taken of the fact that this preassembly has been made, and thus the emblem 16 may be attached to the spring clip 14 without disassembling the spring clip from the cap 12.

As seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus 16 includes a pedestal on which a base 32 is mounted. The base 32 includes a stepped down front portion 33 in which an opening 34 is formed, an anvil 36 being disposed in the opening 34 for limited vertical movement therein. Joined to the uppermost end of the anvil 36 is a reduced cap 37 on which the emblem 16 is seated. An enlarged portion 38 is joined to the anvil 36 at the lower end thereof and is disposed in an enlarged bore 39 that communicates with the opening 34. The anvil 36 is resiliently mounted in the opening 34 and for this purpose a spring 40 is disposed between the lower end of the enlarged portion 38 and the pedestal 30 with which the bore 39 communicates. The portion 38 is also formed with a slot 41 therein for receiving a set screw 42 that is adapted to prevent any rotary movement of the anvil. A shoulder 43 that is defined by the junction of the anvil 36 and the enlarged portion 38 forms a stop for limiting outer movement of the anvil 36.

In order to attach the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14, it is necessary to provide some means for bending over the prongs 24 after the prongs 24 have been inserted through the openings 28 in the spring clip. To accomplish this purpose, a pair of arms 44 and 46 are provided, on the outermost ends of which jaws 48 and 50, respectively, are formed. The arms 44 and 46 each have a generally rectangular cross sectional configuration and are adated to be pivoted in both a vertical and horizontal direction. As will be described, it is the pivotal movement of the arms 44 and 46 in the two directions that first seats the spring clip 14 on the emblem 16 and then produces the bending action of the prongs 24 of the emblem to secure the emblem "to the spring clip 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the arms 44-, 46 is provided with an opening 52 adjacent the rear end thereof that receives a pin 54 that is seated within the rearmost portion of the base 32. In order to bais the arms 44, 46 to an upper position as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of rods 56 are located in suitable spaced apart openings 58 formed in the base 32. Springs 66 are disposed in the openings 58 and engage the rods 56 to resiliently urge the rods to the position shown in FIG. 2. In this position, the uppermost ends of the rods 56 engage the underside of the arms 44 and 46 and normally locate the arms in an upper pivoted position as shown in FIG. 2. It will be seen from the description following hereinafter that the arms 44 and 46 will be depressed by a ram in a downwardly pivoting motion and against the action of the springs 60 during the assembly of the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14. Since it is necessary to positively locate the arms 44, 46 for pivotal movement with respect to the base 32, a holddown block 62 is provided. The holddown block 62 is formed with an undercut recess 63 through which the arms 44, 46 extend and is secured to the rear portion of the base 32 by suitable screws 64 as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The block 62 thus overlies the rear portion of. the arms 44, 46 to limit the upward pivotal movement thereof.

As mentioned hereinabove, in the assembly of the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14, it is necessary to bend over the prongs 24 to secure the emblem in place on the spring clip. In order to accomplish this bending action, the arms 44 and 46 must be pivoted in a horizontal direction toward each other. The arms 44 and 46 are thus normally retained in an outer pivoted position as shown in FIG. 1. and are disposed in this position by means of a central spring 68 (FIG. 3) that is positioned within opposed openings 70 formed in the arms 44, 46. The bending action of the arms 44, 46 is accomplished by the jaws 48, 50 which have a special configuration to accommodate the rear flange 19 of the spring clip 14. As seen in FIG. 7, each jaw is formed in a generally arcuate configuration and includes a curved neck 71 that is designed to clear the near flange 19 of the spring clip 14. Each jaw is further formed with an inner slot 73 having a fiat upper wall that enables the jaw to smoothly slide over the prongs 24 as they are folded by the jaw during the assembly of the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14. Since the arms44, 46 must be pivotally moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to an assembly position, wherein the jaws 48, 5t? are located in close proximity to the anvil 36, a vertically mov'- able head 72 is provided and is interconnected to a rod 74 that, in turn, may be suitably actuated by any convenient power means. Secured in the head '72 adjacent the front and side walls thereof are cam blocks 76, 78 that are formed with lower inclined surfaces that define cam edges 80 and 81 respectively. Mounted on the pedestal 30 and secured within the base 32 are opposed blocks 82 and 84 in which tracks 86 and 88 are formed that are designed to accommodate the cam blocks 76 and 78 during downward travel thereof with the head 72. Mounted for slidahle movement with respect to the head 72 and located therebelow is a ram 90 to which a shaft 92 is joined that ex tends inwardly of the head 72 through a bore 5 4'. As will be described hereinafter in the operation of the a paratus 10, it is necessary that the ram 90 move with the head 72 during the preliminary phase of the attaching operation. In order to accomplish this purpose, springs 96 are dis pose-d between the underside of the head 72 and the upper surface of the ram 90. The springs 96 have a greater resistance to compression than the springs 60 and thus movement of the head 72 downwardly will cause the ram 90 to move therewith thereby depressing the arms 44, 46 against the action of the relatively weak springs 66 with which the arms engage. As will be described hereinafter, further depression of the head 72 will then cause the springs 96 to be compressed to move the head '72 relative to the ram 90 and thus move the cam edges 80, 81 into contact with the arms 44, 46 to cause inner horizontal pivotal movement thereof. It is apparent that during this latter movement of the head 72, the shaft 92 will slide inwardly of the bore 94.

In the operation of the apparatus and in carrying out the method of attaching the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14, it is first necessary to locate the cap 12 to which the spring clip 14 is attached on the jaws 48, 50 of the arms 44, 46 respectively. As will be observed in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the lateral dimension of the jaw 48 is somewhat greater than that of the jaw 50. This relationship is provided so as to enable the smaller jaw 50 to fit within the space defined by the spring clip 14 and the cap 12 and still be located on the outer edge of the adjacent opening 28. In mounting the cap 12 on the jaws 48, 56, the jaws are positioned between the cap 12 and the spring clip 14, and the cap is moved as far to the left as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 until further movement is prevented by the wedging of the jaw 50 in the space between the spring clip 14 and thecap 12. In this position, the jaws 43 and 56 are located adjacent the openings 28 that have been preformed in the spring clip 14. Furthermore, with the cap 12 so located on the jaws 48 and Stl, the openings 28 are properly dis-- posed so as to be aligned with the prongs 24 of the emblem 16 that has been placed on the reduced cap 37 of' the anvil 36. The emblem 16 as located on the anvil 36 is disposed with the prongs 24 projecting upwardly as seen in FIG. 4. The prongs 24 and the openings 28 in this position are in alignment, and when the cap 12 is moved downwardly with the jaws 48, 50, the prongs 24 will be received within the openings 23 as seen in FIG. 5.

As has been described in connection with FIG. 7, the jaws 48 and 50 have a special configuration so as to be accommodated within the spring clip 14. Since the spring r. 0 clip 14-is formed withthe longitudinal flanges 19, it is necessary to form the jaws 48 and 50 in a generally arcuate configuration and with the curved neck 71 so as to clear the innermost flange 19.. The jaws 48 and 50 are further formed with the innerv arcuate portion 73 that enables the jaws to. slide over the bent prongs 24 during the assembly of the emblem 16' to thespring clip 14.

Returning again to the operation of the apparatus and the procedure in attaching the emblem 16 to the spring clip 14, it is assumed that the cap 12 has been suitably positioned on. the jaws 48 and 50 and that the emblem 16 is properly located on the anvil 36. The head 72 is then moveddownwardly by the rod 74 and since the ram 90 is responsive to movement of the head 72 through the springs 96, the ram 90 willbe moved into engagement'with the arms 44, 46, the arms thereby being depressed against the action of the springs 60. As described hereinabove, the springs 60 have less compressive strength than the springs 96, and thus'downward movement of the head 72 will, inthe first instance, cause the ram 90 to depress the arms 44, 46 tothe position illustratedin FIG. 5. The clip 14 in this position has been moved into firm contact with the emblem'16. As the arms 44 and 46 are moved downwardly, the cap 12 is carried therewith, and since the prongs 24 and the openings 28 in the spring clip 14 are disposed in vertical alignment, the prongs 24' will enter the openings 28 adjacent the inner edges of the jaws 48' and 50. Continued downward movement ofthe head 72 will cause the springs 96 to be compressed; however, at this point the spring loaded ram 90 does not move downwardly any further even though the head 72 is continuing to'move in a downward direction. Thus the springs 96 are compressed between the head72 andthe ram 90, the ram 90 securely retaining the emblem in firm engagement against the anvil 36 that is, in turn, held in a firm position by the spring 40. Further continued movement of the head 72 in a downward direction causes the inclined cam surfaces 80, 81 to strike the adjacentedges of the arms 44, 46 respectively thereby forcing the arms 44, 46 to pivot inwardly against the action of the spring 70. As the arms 44, 46 are moved inwardly by the cam blocks 76, 78, the jaws 48, 50 are moved toward each other to the position shown in FIG. 6, wherein the prongs 24 that are located inwardly of the jaws 48, 50 are bent or folded over the adjacent inner surface of the spring clip 14. The emblem is thus securely attached to the spring clip 14, and upon withdrawal of the head 72, the cap with the emblem attached to the clip thereof may be manually or automatically removed from the jaws 48, 50 for mounting on the barrel of a writing instrument. During the bending operation of the prongs, that is during horizontal pivotal movement of the arms 44, 46, the anvil is vertically located by the spring 40 that urges the enlarged portion 38 upwardly. The spring 40 will further retain the anvil 36 in a firm position during the bending operation but in the event the bottom wall 22 of the emblem 16 varies in thickness, the spring 40 will present the emblem bottom Wall in proper position with respect to the jaws 48, 50. It is seen that since the downward movement of the arms 44, 46 is limited by the upper surface of the base 32, adjustment of the vertical position of the anvil 36 may be necessary if the thickness of the emblem bottom wall varies from the usual dimension. Thus the anvil 36 may be forced downwardly against the spring 40 if the emblem bottom wall is thicker than normal, or the spring 40 will urge the anvil 36 upwardly if the emblem bottom Wall is thinner than normal. The set screw 42 permits the vertical movement of the enlarged portion 38 and anvil 36 by riding in the slot 41 but prevent rotary movement thereof.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying in ventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicatedby the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for attaching an emblem-to a clip that is secured to a cap of a writing instrument, a base, an anvil mounted on said base for limited biased movement and receiving an emblem thereon that is formed with are projected through the aligned openings formed in said clip and are located adjacent to said jaws, said moving means simultaneously forcing said pivot members inwardly in a pivoting motion to cause saidjaws to turn over the adjacent pins in locking engagement with. respect to said emblem, wherein said emblem is secured to said clip.

2. In apparatus for attaching an emblem to a clip that.

is secured to a cap of a writing instrument, a base, an anvil mounted on said base for receiving an emblem thereon that is preformed with spaced upstanding pins, a pair of members that are mountedfor pivotal movement on saidbase about vertical axes, each of said members including a jaw that projects over said anvil and emblem thereon and that extends within the space defined by the clip and body of the cap to which the clip is secured, wherein said cap and clip thereon are mounted on said jaws'andare aligned with respect to said anvil and emblem located thereon, and a head mounted for vertical movement on said base and' including a spring loaded ram,

said ram engaging saidmembers for inducing downward movement thereof before compression of the springs of said ram, wherein said clip is moved into engagement with said emblem so that said pins project through corresponding openings formed in said clip, said head further including cam members that are moved therewith into contact with said arms upon compression of the springs of said ram, wherein said arms are pivoted inwardly to cause said jaws to turn over the adjacent pins in locking engagement with respect to said emblem, thereby securing said emblem to said clip.

3. In apparatus for attaching an emblem to a clip that is secured to a cap of a writing instrument, a base, means for mounting said emblem on said base such that spaced prongs that are preformed on said emblem project upwardly therefrom, means mounted for pivotal movement on said base including spaced jaws on which said cap is received, wherein the clip that is secured to said cap is oriented with respect to said emblem so that spaced openings formed in said cap are aligned with said spaced prongs, and means for moving said jaws downwardly to force said pins through the aligned openings and for simultaneously pivoting said jaws to bend over said prongs to secure said emblem to said clip.

4. In apparatus for attaching an emblem to a clip as set forth in claim 3, said pivotally mounted means including a pair of arms that are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to each other and that are normally biased to the outer pivotal position thereof, said arms being further normally biased to an upper position wherein the jaws formed thereon are properly positioned for locating the cap and clip on said jaws in oriented position over said anvil and emblem.

5. In apparatus for attaching an emblem to a clip as set forth in claim 3, spring means for normally biasing said pivotally mounted means to an upper position, wherein the clip secured to said cap is oriented over said emblem, said moving means including a vertically movable ram that engages said pivotally mounted means, a vertically movable plunger head spaced from said ram, springs interposed between said ram and said plunger head and cams secured to said plunger head, said spring means being more compressible than said springs, wherein when said plunger head is moved downwardly said ram will move therewith and will move said pivotally mounted means downwardly until the prongs of said emblem project through the openings in said clip, said cams carried by said plunger head thereafter being movable into engagement with said pivotally mounted means for pivoting said pivotally mounted means in response to continued movement of said plunger head with respect to said cam and against the action of said spring, wherein said pivotally mounted means are pivoted toward each other in a horizontal plane to bend over said prongs.

6. In apparatus for attaching an emblem to a clip as set forth in claim 5, said pivotally mounted means including a pair of arms to each of which one of said jaws is joined, a pivot pin extending through a vertically disposed opening formed in each of said arms at the rearmost end thereof and providing for horizontal and vertical pivoting movement thereof, means for limiting upwardly pivoting movement of said arms, and means for normally biasing said arms apart so that they may be pivoted toward each other in the horizontal plane.

7. In apparatus for attaching an article having spaced outwardly extending prongs to an element having spaced openings for receiving said prongs, a base, means for mounting said article on said base with the prongs projecting in an upward direction, retaining means mounted for movement on said base for carrying said element, means mounted on said base and engaging said retaining means for moving said retaining means in a first direction so that the element carried thereon is moved into contact with said article, wherein the prongs on said article project through the openings in said element, said moving means further including additional means for moving said retaining means in a second direction to secure said prongs to said element, thereby attaching said article to said element.

8. In apparatus as set forth in claim 7, said mounting means including an anvil on which the article is placed, a spring engaging said anvil and normally biasing said anvil to an upper position and for fixing the position of said anvil during attachment of said article to said element.

9. In apparatus as set forth in claim 7, said retaining means including a pair of arms each of which is connected at an end thereof to said base for both horizontal and vertical pivotal movement with respect thereto, each of said arms having a jaw joined to the outer end thereof on which said element is received.

It). In apparatus as set forth in claim 9, said means for moving said retaining means in a first direction including a spring loaded ram that is disposed in direct contact with said arms, first spring means for normally retaining said arms in an upwardly pivoted position, a head mounted for vertical movement on said base, and second spring means interposed between said head and said ram and being less compressible than said first spring means, wherein downward movement of said head causes said second spring means and ram in engagement therewith to depress said arms in said first direction against the action of said first spring means.

11. In apparatus as set forth in claim 10, a spring element disposed in opposed oenings in said arms for nor mally retaining said arms in spaced apart relation.

12. In apparatus as set forth in claim 11, cams secured to said head and vertically movable therewith, said cams being engageable with said arms upon continued downward movement of said head and operable to move said arms toward each other against the action of said spring element and in said second direction, wherein said jaws are movable into contact with said prongs that project through said openings to bend over said prongs into engagement with said element, thereby securing said article to said element.

No references cited.

WHITMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner.

GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING AN EMBLEM TO A CLIP THAT IS SECURED TO A CAP OF A WRITING INSTRUMENT, A BASE, AN ANVIL MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR LIMITED BIASED MOVEMENT AND RECEIVING AN EMBLEM THEREON THAT IS FORMED WITH SPACED UPSTANDING PINS, A PAIR OF PIVOT MEMBERS THAT ARE MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR HORIZONTAL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT, EACH OF SAID PIVOT MEMBERS INCLUDING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING JAW THAT IS MOVABLE OVER SAID ANVIL AND THAT IS ADAPTED TO PROJECT BETWEEN THE CLIP AND THE CAP OF THE WRITING INSTRUMENT, WHEREIN SAID CAP AND CLIP THEREON ARE PROPERLY ALIGNED WITH RESPECT TO SAID ANVIL AND THE EMBLEM LOCATED THEREON, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID PIVOT 